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Athens News Courier (Newspaper) - April 19, 2009, Athens, Alabama
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PAGE 13A
TRIAD Trail Ride still planned
Never mind the weather, Sheriff Mike Blakely says the Triad Trial Ride will take place as planned today at the Neal Johnston Farm in Minor Hill. Gates open at 11.
Kelly says:
There's a reason God created IHOP and those pancakes with little fruit smiley faces.
KELLY KAZEK'S COLUMN PAGE 4A
Index
Classifieds.......1C
Crossword 19 A
Letters..........5 A
Ledger.........19A
Lifestyles........9A
Lottery..........3A
Obituaries 2A
Wynell Evans keeton Nolan Hoyt McKay Janies Wesley Scott
Opinion.........4A
Sports...........IB
Weather.........2A
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NEWS COURIER/KIM RYNDERS
Gary Wilson, left, and Kay Catlett, right, both of Limestone County, were two of about 200 supporters who came out Saturday for the Taxpayer Tea Party in the parking lot of Chu-Chus on U.S. 72 West.City’s finances are ‘doing fine
Oh, Do-Da day
Despite a gray sly and cool breeze Saturday morning children dressed in their Do-Da finery, dearrated their wagons and bicycles — with a little help from their parents — for the annual Do-Da Parade on the Limestone County Courthouse square. The parade kicked off a series of events for Kids Day in the Park at Big Spring Park, including a fishing rodeo. See results in Tuesday’s edition. Above, David and Bess Christopher, ages 3 and 6, peek from their flowery ride. They are the children of Heath and Laura Christopher of Athens. At left. Jasmine Griffin, 3, daughter of Rusty news courier/kelly kazek and Megon Griffin of Athens is ready for a wagon train.A tea party, Athens style
By Karen Middleton [email protected] thensnews-couricr. com When asked why he attended Saturday’s Taxpayer Tea Party in Athens, Danny Pettus borrowed a quote from a black-and-white movie he saw the night before: “Let the government keep my check and give me the taxes.”
It was a sentiment shared by some 200 people who carried placards and applauded speakers in Chu-Chus parking lot protesting the Obama administration’s taxation policies and big-ticket spending on bailouts.
The rally, led by conservative commentator Will Anderson of radio station WBHP, was opened with a prayer and featured the singing of “God Bless America,” as well as a reciting of the pledge of allegiance.
See Tea party, page 3A
— NEWS COURIER/KIM RYNDERS
Conservative commentator Will Anderson of WBHP-AM, led Saturday's Taxpayer Tea Party.
By Karen Middleton karen(g>athensnews-courier.com City of Athens Financial Manager Evan Thornton told the City Council Thursday that belt-tightening efforts by department heads is paying off. Thornton said midway in the fiscal year, the city’s $10.7 million expense budget is under by $655,000.
Thornton said despite revenue being down from taxes, business licenses, gasoline sales and lodging in the economic crunch, he believes the city will end the fiscal year in “fine shape.” “But we’re still teetering at a half-percent above what we were at last year,” said Thornton.
He said the city is probably reaching a “plateau” on lodging because of fewer TVA contract workers visiting the community for periodic reactor testing. He said TVA testing brings some 1,800 workers into the city, who rent rooms at local motels.
“And our tax-free holiday actually increases sales taxes,” said Thornton. “People coming in to purchase tax-free items also buy some things that aren’t on the tax-free list. We usually go over budget in revenues, because we always budget conservatively.”
See Finances, page 2A
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